Arne Slot refused to comment on Liverpool’s pursuit of Giorgi Mamardashvili when quizzed on the interest in the goalkeeper on Friday.
The Dutch boss was questioned on his side’s transfer business on several occasions in a pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Brentford on Sunday. But he remained coy on what is going on behind the scenes at Anfield.
The former Feyenoord manager also insisted that it would be wrong for him to comment on those playing at other clubs, amid speculation that the Reds are closing in on a deal with Valencia for Mamardashvili.
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Asked about the Georgia international, Slot replied: “I think you already know the answer. If a deal is done, then you will hear from us. Until that moment we don't speak about transfers or players who are not ours.
“I trust the team. I inherited a real good team, a team of many young players as well and they can develop and we try to work as hard as we can with them. We trust them a lot. They proved last week they've earned this trust.”
Reports suggest that Mamardashvili will be loaned back to Valencia for 12 months if an agreement is struck before being the situation is revisited next summer. He is seen as the long-term successor to Alisson.
Slot also spoke at length about Joe Gomez after his omission from Liverpool’s matchday squad to face Ipswich Town last weekend. The England international is said to be exploring his options before the transfer window closes, with Chelsea and Aston Villa keen.
However, Slot has claimed that Gomez did not feature at Portman Road due to his fitness struggles, explaining that he believes the 27-year-old will remain at Anfield beyond next week’s deadline day.
He continued: “His head has been in the right place for three weeks. It's been hard since he came back. He didn't play a lot at the Euros and when he came back, in the first sessions, he couldn't train the whole session so we had to manage his load a bit.
“That was also the reason why he wasn't in the team last Sunday. This week he had a good week in terms of load and how much he could do with the team. He is one of the players I see new things from and learn from. It's been a good week for him and for us to learn.”
Pressed again on whether he believes Gomez will be a Liverpool player when the transfer window closes, Slot reiterated: “At this moment I am expecting everyone to be here but you know in football, everything can change.”
With time running out in the transfer window, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be willing to facilitate Gomez leaving the club if a suitable offer arrives for the versatile defender.
The ex-Charlton Athletic man is capable of playing at centre-back, right-back and left-back, which means he would be a difficult player to replace.
